Unhappy Cat? 5 Things Cats Hate Their Owners Doing

Our feline friends can certainly have strong feelings towards some of our actions. It is easy to dismiss your kitty as grumpy or aloof, however, there is logic to some of our cat’s dislikes.

Here are 5 things you might be doing to your furry friend that you probably shouldn’t.

Not Cleaning Their Litter Tray

Cats are exceptionally clean creatures and will often avoid toileting in dirty spaces. If your cat has been doing their business elsewhere besides the litter tray, they are likely trying to tell you something.

Watch our Cat Toileting Blog.

The two most important considerations for your cat’s toileting space are cleanliness and safety. So, ensure their tray is in a quiet and private place and ensure you are cleaning out their mess daily. This will keep your kitty happy and reduce the chance of accidents around the home…

If you notice your litter tray is getting dirty and smelly very quickly, it is worth considering a change to a higher-quality litter.

 Need help switching your cat to a new litter? Watch our litter transition guide!

Taking them to the Vet

Most owners have experienced the adrenaline of trying to get their cat into their carrier. Taking your cat to the vet can be an extremely stressful experience and is certainly something most cats do not enjoy.

However regular vet checks are incredibly important for your cat’s well-being, so here is some advice for making them less anxiety-inducing.

• Desensitise your cat to their carrier! Cats have fantastic memories; each time they see the cat carrier they will experience flashbacks to their last traumatic vet visit and run in the opposite direction. Instead of putting the carrier away, keep it out with the door open and a cosy blanket inside. Add toys and treats and allow your cat to start to trust that place again.
• Use calming products! Spray the inside of the carrier with a calming treatment. This will help take the edge off and reduce your cat’s anxiety. Watch our guide on choosing a calming treatment.
• Tell your vet! Before your next appointment let your vet know your cat is nervous. Your vet will accommodate this as best they can, and some surgeries have a cat-friendly clinic scheme. These are dedicated cat hours to reduce stress.

Not Playing with Them Enough

Cats that aren’t given enough play or stimulation will likely exhibit boredom behaviours such as attention seeking, excessive meowing and scratching inappropriate objects.

Play with your cat every day to keep them healthy and happy! Allow your feline friend to exhibit their natural hunting skills and provide plenty of scratchers for them to maintain their weapons (claws).

Watch our Playing with Cats video for great enrichment tips!

Bringing Home Another Cat

Cats can exist happily alongside other cats in a household. Some cats are inseparable and enjoy spending time together. However, this is not the case for most cats.

Our feline companions are naturally solitary, and while modern cats and certain breeds have adapted better to social life, cats do not seek company from others.

According to data in the PDSA Paw Report around 1.8 million cats live with other cats they do not get on with. Two opposing cats living together in a multi-cat increases the chance of conflict and stress-related behaviours.

If you are currently dealing with a tumultuous feline household, read our guide on Multi-Cat Households.

Not Washing Their Food & Water Dishes

Our feline friends are hygienic and have a very strong sense of smell. Much like us, they are reluctant to eat or drink from dirty dishes. It is so important to keep their feeding equipment clean.

Bowls should be washed every day with pet-safe disinfectant. Cats are notorious for being reluctant drinkers so a dirty water dish will do little to convince them to take a gulp. If you are struggling with getting your cat to drink, check out our three expert tips.

I hope this advice helps you keep your cat happier and your house harmonious.